Gérard Leman

Gerard Mathieu Joseph Georges, count Leman (8 January 1851 – 17 October 1920) was a Belgian general. He was responsible for the military education of King Albert I of Belgium. During World War I he was the commander of the forts surrounding the Belgian city of Liège. The German Forces had to use heavy artillery to break through the defences and capture Leman as a prisoner of War. He was released at the end of the war and died a hero, in 1920.

Pre-World War I Leman was the son of an artillery captain who was a professor at the Military School. He entered the Military School at Brussels, and when he left it in 1869 had acquired a reputation for brilliance. During the Franco-Prussian War he served in a Belgian observation corps. In 1882, he became a member of the teaching staff of the Military School, and both then and later, as head of the school, he exerted considerable influence on military matters, becoming famous as a mathematician. During this period he was responsible for the military education of King Albert I of Belgium and the Filipino general Antonio Luna.

Preparing Liège In January 1914, he was appointed commander of the forts surrounding the Belgian city of Liège as well as the 3rd Division of the Belgian army. As a token of respect, he was allowed to retain his sword.

After the war After the war, he returned to a hero's welcome in Belgium. He died in 1920, aged 69.

Title and honours Gérard-Mathieu Leman rose to the rank of lieutenant general and was made a count.

Military awards and decorations

Grand cordon of the order of Leopold with palm Grand officer of the order of the crown War cross WWI with palm Liege medal WWI Victory medal WW I commemorative medal Military cross, first class Commemorative medal of the reign of King Leopold II Knight grand cross of the order of St Michael and St George Grand cross of the legion of honor (France) Grand officer of the order of military merit (Spain) Commander of the order of the redeemer (Greece) Order of the double dragon (China) Order of the star of Romania (Romania) War cross with palm (France) War merit cross (Italy)